CHARACTERISTICS OF EXPRESSWAYS

VIDEO Driving on the Express Highway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68b1BubAQVk

Expressway Videos Driving on the Express Highway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68b1BubAQVk Freeway driving video (8 min): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bqIY392PRs (5 min) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68b1BubAQVk Merging video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txg6RMEYzE4 Fastest highway in america (3 min): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBtimqCr85Q

CHARACTERISTICS OF EXPRESSWAY DRIVING Known as a Controlled-Access Highway Vehicles enter & leave only at interchanges Other Names: Interstate highways, Freeways, Toll Roads Turnpikes, Parkways & Beltways

Initiated by Pres. Dwight Eisenhower in 1956 THE INTERSTATE SYSTEM Initiated by Pres. Dwight Eisenhower in 1956 Advantages Low risk / High Speed Travel Cross Traffic Eliminated Median between opposing lanes No pedestrians, bikes, slow moving vehicles Wide shoulders make good escape paths Signs well posted, in advance to warn drivers Can hold large volumes of traffic Straighter roads, no traffic signals Higher speed limits Minimizes distance between major cities Evacuation routes Military usage

EXPRESSWAY LANE MARKINGS Solid YELLOW line - marks the left edge of the roadway. Should always be on the driver’s left side. Solid WHITE line - marks the right edge of the roadway, or entrance and exit lanes. Broken WHITE line - separates lanes of traffic going in the same direction. HOV lanes (high occupancy vehicle) are marked with a white diamond. require a minimum number of passengers in the vehicle.

SPEED LIMITS Cannot obstruct traffic flow Law Maximum allowed speed for that area CANNOT legally go faster than CAN legally go slower than Cannot obstruct traffic flow

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXPRESSWAY Controlled access (limited entry and exit) High speed (up to 65 mph) Divided by a barrier or median Multiple lanes May have minimum speed limit Only for motorized vehicles Have low frequency of collisions, but often a high injury rate because of high speeds

INTERSTATE NUMBERING SYSTEM Highways increase in number from west to east I-5 is in California, I-95 runs along the east coast Highways increase in number from south to north I-10 runs from CA to FL; I-90 from Seattle to Boston Primary interstates are those divisible by 5 Larger, busier

Odd-numbered Interstates run north/south TWO DIGIT INTERSTATE Odd-numbered Interstates run north/south I-95

TWO DIGIT INTERSTATES Even-Numbered Interstates run east/west I-66

THREE DIGIT INTERSTATE Found around large cities Made of prefix, followed by number of parent Interstate Even prefix Interstates loop around the city and connect back to their parent Interstate Odd prefix Interstates spur into the city and do not connect back to their parent Interstate 4 = Prefix 95 = Parent Interstate 3 = Prefix 95 = Parent Interstate

MILE MARKERS Indicate where on Interstate highway you are Small numbers = tenths of mile Can help you in case of emergency Notify police exactly where you are Can help calculate distance from where you are to your exit (exits numbered by mile) Subtract or add If you’re at mile marker 20 and you’re going to exit 84, you have 64 miles left

Expressway Intersections

INTERCHANGES Definition: Highway interchanges connect intersecting sections of roadways. Questions: • What are some types of interchanges? • How are they different from one another?

CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANGE A cloverleaf interchange has a series of entrance and exit ramps that resemble the outline of a four leaf clover. allows for the interchange of two expressways or major roadways. has shared entrance and exit weave lanes. Traffic is permitted to move ONLY in the direction indicated by the arrows.

DIAMOND INTERCHANGE A diamond interchange is designed to be used when a road with slower speeds crosses a busy expressway. allows for the interchange of a major roadway with a secondary dual or multiple lane roadway. Traffic is permitted to move ONLY in the direction indicated by the arrows.

TRUMPET INTERCHANGE A trumpet interchange is used when an intersecting side road forms a T intersection with the expressway. accommodates the T-intersection flow of traffic at the junction of two roadways. allows for traffic on a secondary two- way street to merge onto a multiple lane roadway. Traffic is permitted to move ONLY in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FRONTAGE ROAD INTERCHANGE Frontage Road Interchanges allow vehicles using parallel secondary two-way or one-way roadways to merge onto a major multiple lane roadway. This Design allows: drivers to exit a multiple lane roadway and use the parallel frontage road. secondary road traffic flows to mix efficiently with higher speed traffic flows on the multiple lane roadway.

Entering and Exiting the Expressway

REDUCING RISK ENTERING THE ROADWAY Search for proper entrance Search for potential conflicts Prepare to adjust speed Avoid stopping on the ramp Be prepared to drive onto the shoulder Merge smoothly Create space around your vehicle

MERGING Question: What are the steps for merging? When you enter an expressway from a ramp, you will merge into high speed traffic. Drivers already on — and those entering — the highway need to adjust speed and position to avoid collisions. Question: What are the steps for merging? Video on Merging: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-OmDGydsHc

EXPRESSWAY ENTRANCES/RAMPS The ramp is divided into three sections: Entrance Ramp – build speed and prepare to enter expressway. Gives the driver time to begin evaluating traffic. 2 Main Parts Acceleration Lane Merging Area

ACCELERATION LANE Use the left-lane signal indicator Adjust speed to match the speed of the traffic on the expressway Monitor gap on expressway Acceleration Lane

SELECTING A GAP IN THE TRAFFIC FLOW Merge Area Target Area Check Front Zone Check Rear and Left Rear Zones Select Gap Identify a Target Area in the Open Space

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST HEAD CHECK EARLY ON RAMP? Check the volume and speed of traffic. (so you’ll know how fast to accelerate) If the traffic is heavy, be alert to sudden stops by traffic already on the freeway and be prepared to slow as you merge. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST HEAD CHECK EARLY ON RAMP?

THE MERGE AREA Accelerate to blend with the speed of traffic on the expressway Check Rear and Left Rear Zones Merge Area

MERGING INTO TRAFFIC FLOW Continue searching for adequate gap Search for potential conflicts Prepare to adjust speed Avoid stopping on the ramp Be prepared to drive onto the shoulder if necessary Merge smoothly Create space around your vehicle once you have entered the lane

Begin looking for a space to merge. Also, quickly accelerate. What is the purpose of the second head check as the ramp begins to straighten?

SELECTING THE APPROPRIATE LANE When merging onto an expressway, stay in the right lane until you become accustomed to the faster traffic flow. Center Vehicle in Proper Lane Adjust Speed to Traffic Flow and Legal Limit

REDUCED RISK LANE CHANGES Reasons for changing lanes include: Entering or exiting Allowing another driver to enter Following large or slow-moving vehicles Lane ahead becomes blocked Being tailgated Animals Passing

REDUCED RISK LANE CHANGES Steps to safely change lanes: Maintain a safe following distance from the vehicles in front of you. Check traffic ahead, behind and to the sides (mirrors and head check). Signal your intention to change lanes. Select a safe gap in traffic. Re-check blind spots in the direction of the lane change. Adjust your speed — if clear, steer smoothly to the new lane, if not, wait and cancel your turn signal. Move one lane at a time.

CHOOSING LANES Center Lane: Left Lane: Long distance or passing Right Lane: Heavier and slower vehicles Vehicles entering the expressway Vehicles getting ready to exit Exit / Entry Right Lane Center Lane Left Lane Center Lane: Long distance or passing Left Lane: Higher speed and passing traffic

PASSING AND BEING PASSED Passing on Expressway is usually safer than passing on a two lane road Median separates you from oncoming traffic Head on collisions are usually not a threat Passing on the left is common Passing on the right is legal if slower moving vehicle is in the left lane If you are continually being passed on the right Move to the right lane If you are frequently being passed on both sides Dangerous situation! Blend into traffic

PASSING ON MULTI-LANE ROADWAYS Check traffic ahead, to the sides, and behind Signal Make a head check Accelerate smoothly Change lanes smoothly Cancel signal Pass and signal to return Check mirrors When both sets of headlights of the vehicle being passed are visible, return to the lane Adjust speed and/or vehicle position to create space all around your vehicle The RED line shows path of the red car. The BLUE arrows show where the driver’s eyes are searching.

WHEN BEING PASSED Monitor passing vehicle’s position Move to lane position 3 to increase space cushion Do not increase speed—decelerate if necessary Once passed, create space ahead and behind move away

IDENTIFY THE EXIT EARLY Exits are marked with guide signs, usually one to two miles before the exit. You can determine if an exit is a right exit or a left exit by the position of the exit number on the sign. So, Exit 45A is a right exit, because in this picture the exit number on the upper right-hand side of the sign. In Virginia, exit numbers correspond with mile marker numbers. About one-half mile (20- to 30- seconds) before the exit, signal and move to the lane closest to the deceleration lane.

ADJUSTING YOUR EXIT SPEED As you prepare to exit the highway, you should watch the road signs carefully, anticipate your exit, position yourself in the proper lane, and begin signaling your exit well in advance. Adjusting Your Speed Do no slow down until you start to turn off the freeway Maintain proper speed – fast enough so you do not interrupt the flow of traffic and slow enough to exit. The deceleration lane will allow you an area in which you can safely slow your vehicle without impeding the flow of traffic on the travel portion of the freeway It is illegal to back up on the freeway, and you may not cross the median.

MULTIPLE LANE ROADWAY EXIT An expressway exit has two components: The Deceleration Lane — gives the driver the time and space needed to adjust his/her vehicle’s speed to the slower posted ramp speed without disrupting the flow of traffic on the expressway. The Exit Ramp — allows traffic to enter an adjoining roadway. Exit Ramp Deceleration Lane

EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY Signal Maintain speed Use mirrors to check behind & the sides Check mirror blind zones Move into deceleration lane Prepare to decelerate quickly Exit Ramp Deceleration Lane Deceleration Lane

DECELERATION LANE Enter Deceleration Lane by easing over several of the broken lines Release Accelerator and Cancel Signal Check Rear and Begin Braking Deceleration Lane

POSSIBLE EXITING PROBLEMS “Weave” lane conflicts Short deceleration lane Sharp curve on ramp Traffic stopped on the exit ramp Crossing Paths – lane is used for both and entrance and an exit. Ramp Overflow – traffic backed up from exit ramp onto the expressway. This is unsafe and illegal, go to the next exit. Short Deceleration Lane – slow more quickly, identify ramp speed, and check rear zones.

Weave Lane

SPEED CHANGE (WEAVE) LANE When acceleration and deceleration lanes are shared, watch for conflicting traffic movements

WEAVE LANES From Interstate To Interstate Merge lane to get off of Interstate is also exit lane to get onto Interstate If you are in: merge as quickly as possible, watch for traffic wanting to get onto Interstate If you are not in: vacate right lane if possible If you want to be in: signal intentions, be mindful of those already in wanting to merge, must yield to people entering from Interstate From Interstate To Interstate

Other Concerns

HIGHWAY HYPNOSIS Is a dulled or drowsy condition that can occur when driving long distances Situation becomes worse when the driver’s eyes focus on the center line. Plan breaks and rest stops to combat highway hypnosis or go to a safe area for rest or sleep when tired. Switch drivers often.

Following Distances It is against the law to tailgate other drivers. You could be cited with a traffic ticket. A quick stop up ahead. Sometimes, a 3-second following distance does not work effectively in heavy traffic. Stay alert for brake lights several cars ahead.

SAFETY DESIGNS ON EXPRESSWAYS Rumble Strips are corrugated road sections used to alert the driver through the noise tires make when driven over them Warn of approaching hazards Alert the driver that they are leaving the lane

CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGNS Are designed to warn drivers of traffic accidents, stalled vehicles, or other traffic problems

RAMP METERING Used to control large volumes of traffic entering expressways Uses a system of lights and sensors Allows only a few cars at a time to enter congested limited access highways

MULTIPLE LANE ROADWAY DANGERS At higher speeds greater braking distances are needed to stop Field of vision is narrowed Highway hypnosis may occur Velocitation may affect your ability to judge speed Traffic may enter and/or exit on your left Wind and/or wet sections of the roadway Two vehicles changing lanes at the same time into the same lane Slow moving vehicles ahead or “pack driving” (vehicles bunching up on the roadway) Tires loosing traction and hydroplaning during wet weather conditions

DO NOT EVER: Drive over or across the median or yellow painted line. Make a left turn or a U-turn on crossovers (designed for emergency vehicles only). Use the left lane except for passing. Change lanes without signaling and checking for an adequate gap in traffic. Drive onto an expressway except from an on- ramp. Park or Stop on an expressway shoulder unless you have an emergency or mechanical difficulties. Backup. Walk or ride a bike.

SPECIAL ROADWAY CONDITIONS Expressways Through Cities Avoid driving in the right lane when vehicles are merging Search for signs, signals, and roadway markings Search for exits early and adjust position in adequate time to exit safely Don’t make last minute lane changes to gain access to an exit Monitor the zones around your vehicle and adjust position to create space cushions Disabled Vehicles Don’t be a “rubber necker” Give the disabled vehicle plenty of room Pull as far off the roadway as possible if your vehicle becomes disabled Turn on Emergency Flashers Raise hood to signal for assistance

TOLL ROADS Charge a fee to drive on the road Include many Interstates (“Turnpikes”) as they travel through other states.

Attendant Operated (Full Service) SmartTag/EZPass TOLL BOOTHS Exact Change Only Driver drops coins into a machine Attendant Operated (Full Service) Driver gives money to attendant, can get change back SmartTag/EZPass Driver has prepaid account and electronic tag in car They still pay Can get from EZPass Office If you don’t pay toll, you get a ticket, either in-person or in the mail

LANE SIGNALS A GREEN arrow over a lane — the lane is open for travel. Reversible lane signals A GREEN arrow over a lane — the lane is open for travel. A RED “X” over a lane — travel in that lane is closed or prohibited. A YELLOW “X” over a lane — travel in that lane is about to change or close.

SAFE EXPRESSWAY DRIVING Travel about the same speed as other drivers on the road. Know the name of roads, route numbers, and entrances/exits you will use. Plan stops for food, fuel, and rest when driving long distances. Keep vehicle in top condition to guard against mechanical failure on expressways.

SHORT TRIPS ON EXPRESSWAYS Know the name, route, and number of the entrance and exit to be used Check vehicle for maintenance problems Take a local map Plan a time to travel to avoid congestion around major cities

LONG TRIPS ON EXPRESSWAYS Do vehicle maintenance checks Balance vehicle load Plan stops for: Food Rest Fuel Know the route numbers you need to take Take a map of the planned route Check with police or VDOT for construction delays Carry money or credit cards